Mrs. Fatass is one fit mommy!

Today’s fit mommy is Sue, who blogs over on Mrs. Fatass. I met Sue in real life at Fitbloggin and let me just assure you that she is just as awesome in person as she is online. She is a busy mom of two who keeps fit by teaching Zumba and other fitness classes.

Please read on for more about Sue and why she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

Well, I’ve always been a bigger girl. Even growing up as a dancer and performer, I was often asked to lose 10 pounds for roles in shows and things. And I got my curves early. But it was having children and going through some extraordinarily stressful years that starting putting pounds on, and as an adult – without dance classes or living in cities where we walked instead of drove – my weight and my health began to suffer. I’d take a few runs at “diets” here and there, and do the thing where I’d lose for a while, then put back on more.

I had lots of inspirations to get things on a heathy track. My father’s health issues had me on my knees promising God I’d take better care of us if he’d help my dad get better. That was a big one. My son also let me know (in a very childlike, innocent way) that I was a ‘big mom.’

But really, the choice eventually came from within. I started this blog in 2009 and it opened up a whole world of inspiration and excitement and accountability. Now I’m a month away from opening my own group fitness studio and helping people find their way to activity is what I get to do every single day.

Never saw that coming.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?

We never HAVE time. We have to MAKE time. And yes, that sounds cliche, but it’s true. I think as women, as mothers, we tend to put ourselves last. We think we have to do everything for every body first. And also? It’s hard. It’s not easy to make yourself get out of bed 30 minutes early and it’s not easy to make your spouse or your partner run the show so you can get in a few minutes and it’s not easy to not feel guilty.

So I encourage people to do a few things. First, start small. Start with something you can maintain. A walk with the stroller. Jump rope in the driveway with the kids. A family bike ride. Something you can make meld into your tasks of the day. And then let that seed grow. I think huge overhauls and sweeping changes are destined to fail. We need to set ourselves up for success.

And find a friend, partner or group of some kind who will support you when it gets tough. You’ll need it.

Q: How have your workouts changed since having kids?

Well, for one, they are workouts. Before kids I was a dancer and active and busy. I wasn’t a gym person or a group fitness person or anything like that. Since kids, they have evolved from walks pushing the stroller to home videos in my living room to joining a gym and using the cardio equipment to finding my soul mate workout Zumba to teaching group fitness classes myself. That’s where I found the thing that kept me coming back – in the studio with a group of sweaty women working together. Now I can’t picture a life without exercise in it.

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?

Both. When I got started I HATED cardio, but now I realize that for ME, I just hadn’t found the cardio that worked for me. I do cardio every day now. But strength training I have always loved, and it’s what I do when I’m not ‘working’. My home workouts and cross training to stay injury free are mostly strength workouts.

Q: What is your least favorite exercise?

I am not a runner. Not even close. I can’t find my breath and I get discouraged and winded and I just plain old don’t enjoy it. And also, it’s 2013 people. Design a bike seat that doesn’t leave me walking like a cowgirl after, would you please?

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?

For me, it’s all about the music. Whether I’m teaching or working out on my own, the playlist carries me through a lot of low-motivation moments. My class playlists are very upbeat and inspirational, and my private ones contain lots of swearing.

Q: Random question: what is your go-to snack food?

Raw almonds and a good nutrition bar. Or a brand new bag of Ruffles. Depending on the day.

Thanks Sue for allowing me to feature you and for being an inspiration to hot-asses everywhere! 🙂

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